An estimated 5500 health workers, including government and private hospital doctors, paramedical, and other health staff are scheduled to get shots of Covid-19 vaccine in the first phase, informed an official.
The district health department is working on war footing basis for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination. Officials are chalking out a micro-plan for phase-wise vaccination in a hassle-free manner. In its directive, the state government has asked the health department officials to make all preparedness on Covid-19 vaccination anyhow by 20 December.
“The COVID-19 vaccinations programme might roll-out any time after 20 December; we are ready with the list,” he said.
On the direction of the government, the work is being finalised, including the existing cold chain storage system. “We are preparing the plan to roll-out COVID-19 vaccination in three phases in the district,” said AK Pathak Civil Surgeon Bokaro.
Currently, the database of prioritised groups of beneficiaries is being compiled concerning healthcare workers both in government and private establishments would be vaccinated in the first phase.
In the second phase, around 7500 frontline workers including armed forces (JAP 1100, CISF 1000, RPF & GRP 400), home guards (1900), police (2000), volunteers, municipal workers would be administered the vaccine
The third phase for vaccination would comprise persons above the age of 50 years (around 3.40 lakhs), and persons with co-morbidities (20,000), informed Civil Surgeon.
“For the remaining population, we yet to receive government’s guideline,” added Pathak.
A dedicated COVID-19 vaccination drive would be carried out at 13 centers across the district, including all CHCs, PHCs, Sub Divisional and Sadar Hospital.
Presently, the COVID-19 vaccine requires two shots (doses), the second dose of the vaccine would be administrated after 15 days of the first shot, said Civil Surgeon.
The process of vaccination and immunisation is mostly carried out with the help of trained nurses, Anganwadi workers and for the purpose of introduction of Covid-19 vaccine, auxiliary nurse midwives and other healthcare workers are also going to be roped in, said Pathak.
“The vaccination, COVID-19 vaccine is just like a common vaccine; there is no need for additional expertise. Anyone who has experience in injecting a drug to patients can do it,” added Pathak.